Wrist watches

ABSTRACT

A wrist watch comprising a watch case in which the watch movement is lodged, and a bracelet integral with a support for the watch, the bracelet and the support being made in one piece of synthetic material, and the said support surrounding the watch like a case rim.

United States Patent Cachelin 1 July 1 l, 1972 s41 WRIST WATCHES [56] References Cited 72] Inventor: Gm Cidldll, LC Locle, sWimfl/and UNITED STATES PATENTS [73] Assignee: Fahrique d'florlogerle Ch. 118801 8: Flls 3,355,873 l2/l967 Mort ..58/90 R S.A., LeLocle, Switzerland 3,545,198 12/ I970 Lottus ..58/90 R l,l95,299 8/l9l6 Wachter ....58/88 W UX in] 1969 2.344.422 3/1944 Slckinger ..sa/as w [2| Appl. No.: 861,962 I Primag' xaminer--R1chard B. Wllkmson Assisram Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Attorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 0a. 2, I968 Switzerland 14743/68 [571 mm A wrist watch comprising a watch case in which the watch [52] U5. CL ..58/88 W movement is lodged, and a bracelet integral with a support for [51] lnt. Cl. ..G04b 37/00 the watch. the bracelet and the support being made in one (58] FleIdolSeu-ch...... W, 90, 94 piece of synthetic material, and the said support surrounding the watch like a case rim.

PATENTEUJUL H I972 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG.3

wlusr WATCHES The present invention relates to a bracelet watch, comprising a casing in which its movement is lodged, and a bracelet integral with a support for the watch.

lthasalreadybeenproposedtofixawatchinabraceletin one piece, having an aperture in its central portion. The bracelet is fixed for instance by being gripped between the rim or bezel and the watch case. In another construction the bracelet is made of metal, and constitutes at the same time the watch case.

It is likewise known to mount a watch case in an india rubber ring, so as to protect the watch from shocks.

According to the present invention, a bracelet and a support are made in one piece of synthetic material, and the said support surrounds the watch in the manner of a case rim.

In this way it is possible to efl'ect the fixing of the watch to the bracelet, and at the same time to protect the watch against shocks, while still preserving, for the whole, a neat and attractive appearance.

Three embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in section of a first form of construction;

FIG. 2 is a view in section of a second form of construction; and

FIG. 3 is a view in section of a third form of construction.

The wrist watch illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a watch case, consisting of a dished back 1, a glass 2, an engagement circle 3, a tension ring 4 and a locking ring 5. The dished back 1 is provided with an annular projection la, forced into a ring 6 of resiliently deformable synthetic material, which is provided on its internal surface, with an annular cavity 7 for the accommodation of the projection la. The edge 60 of the ring 6 forms the rim or bezel of the watch. The ring 6 is made in one piece with a bracelet 8. This ring is also provided with a passage, not shown, for the tube of a setting stem.

It is possible to effect a more reliable fixing of the watch in the ring of synthetic material by utilizing a metallic support embedded in the mass of the synthetic material. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate two modifications of this solution.

In the modification illustrated in FIG. 2, an annular metallic member 9 is embedded in the material of the ring 10 of synthetic material. This annular member 9 serves at the same time to reinforce the synthetic ring 10, the thickness of which can therefore be reduced, and as a means of fixing the dished back. For this purpose, the member 9 is provided with two bearing surfaces, one of which, marked 11, is shown in the drawing, extending round about a quarter of a circle, and enablingthedilhedbottomtobefixedbymeansofsringprovided with two projection, which engage by rotation upon the bearing surfaces 11.

In FIG. 3, a fixing piece 12 extends down to the lower surface ofthe synthetic material, and is anchored in this material sndefl'ectedbymeansofaprojection 13.1'hefixingofthe dishedbackisefiectedinthesamewayasinFlG. 2.

The syntheh'c material has the advantage of being colorable in the mass, so it is possible to furnish a purchaser with bracelets of diflerent colors, enabling him to vary at will the appearance of the watch.

I claim:

1. A wrist watch comprising a watch case having a back, a face and a side wall, a watch movement in said case, a ring surrounding said case andhaving in cross section an inner surface conforming to the side wall of said case, said back and said face of said case being exposed, means interconnecting said ring and said case to hold said case in said ring, and a bracelet integral with said ring, said ring and bracelet being made in one piece of resilient synthetic material.

2. A wrist watch according to claim 1, in which said interconnecting means comprises a radially outwardly projecting annular portion of said side wall of the case and spaced radially inwardly projecting annular beads on said ring receiving said outwardly projecting annular rtion between them.

3. A wnst watch according to c 1, ll! which said ring in cross section has a generally cylindrical inner face and a bowed outer face, and in which said bracelet extends from a rearward portion of said ring.

4. A wrist watch according to claim I, in which said watch has a stem and said ring has a radial opening to accommodate said stem.

5. A wrist watch according to claim I, in which said interconnecting means comprises an annular metal insert embedded in said synthetic material of said ring having locking means interengaging cooperah'ng means of said case to retain said case in said ring.

6. A wrist watch according to claim 5, in which said insert has an annular rearwardly projecting portion molded in said ring to anchor said insert securely in said ring.

7. A wrist watch according to claim 5, in which said locking means comprises circumferentially spaced inwardly projecting arcuate bearing portions, and in which said cooperating means of said case comprise circumferentially spaced radial projections interlocking with said bearing portions of said metal insert to secure said watch case in said ring. 

1. A wrist watch comprising a watch case having a back, a face and a side wall, a watch movement in said case, a ring surrounding said case and having in cross section an inner surface conforming to the side wall of said case, said back and said face of said case being exposed, means interconnecting said ring and said case to hold said case in said ring, and a bracelet integral with said ring, said ring and bracelet being made in one piece of resilient synthetic material.
 2. A wrist watch according to claim 1, in which said interconnecting means comprises a radially outwardly projecting annular portion of said side wall of the case and spaced radially inwardly projecting annular beads on said ring receiving said outwardly projecting annular portion between them.
 3. A wrist watch according to claim 1, in which said ring in cross section has a generally cylindrical inner face and a bowed outer face, and in which said bracelet extends from a rearward portion of said ring.
 4. A wrist watch according to claim 1, in which said watch has a stem and said ring has a radial opening to accommodate said stem.
 5. A wrist watch according to claim 1, in which said interconnecting means comprises an annular metal insert embedded in said synthetic material of said ring having locking means interengaging cooperating means of said case to retain said case in said ring.
 6. A wrist watch according to claim 5, in which said insert has an annular rearwardly projecting portion molded in said ring to anchor said insert securely in said ring.
 7. A wrist watch according to claim 5, in which said locking means comprises circumferentially spaced inwardly projecting arcuate bearing portions, and in which said cooperating means of said case comprise circumferentially spaced radial projections interlocking with said bearing portions of said metal insert to secure said watch case in said ring. 